If you need proof that children's music has grown quite credible, look no farther than the soundtrack to the Disney show "Johnny and the Sprites." The subject matter--spaghetti and self-empowerment, mostly--doesn't hide the serious Broadway smarts of the songwriting.

On March 18, Walt Disney Records released a collection of songs from the Disney Channel TV series "Johnny and the Sprites." This new disc features 19 songs from the hit Playhouse Disney show, starring Tony-nominated Broadway performer John Tartaglia (Johnny) and a cast of colorful, magical puppets (Sprites).

Playhouse Disney's live-action series "Johnny and the Sprites" combines the musical talent of Broadway's best with vibrant, endearing puppet characters in a whimsical setting to create a one-of-a-kind program for preschool viewers and their families. Starring 10-year "Sesame Street" veteran and 2004 Tony Award-nominee John Tartaglia ("Avenue Q"), "Johnny and the Sprites" features music from some of the theater world's most celebrated songwriters.

Each half-hour episode features two 11-minute stories that center around an original, memorable song penned by one or more of Broadway's best contemporary composers. Among those contributing lyrics and music to the series' soundtrack are Oscar-winner Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked," "Pippin," "Godspell"), Gary Adler ("Avenue Q," "Altar Boyz"), Mark Hollmann ("Urinetown"), Michael Patrick Walker ("Altar Boyz"), Ryan Cunningham and Joshua Salzman ("I Love You Because") and the award-winning cabaret duo of Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler.

The unique series welcomes young viewers and their families into a beautiful, enchanted world of whimsy where Johnny and his friends, the Sprites: Ginger, Basil, Lily and Root, sing, have fun and learn valuable life lessons about getting along together, solving problems and respecting the world around them. "Johnny and the Sprites" is part of Disney Channel's learning-focused Playhouse Disney programming block for preschoolers. The series premiered January 13, 2007 and airs every weekend on Disney Channel?s Playhouse Disney. Season 2 launched January 19, 2008.